High intakes of fat are linked to health problems and can lead to obesity (overweight). Fats are concentrated sources of energy and many fats contain vitamins A and D which are important for good health. Fats in the body include those consumed in the diet and those produced from carbohydrates and proteins.
There are four main types of fat are saturates, monounsaturates, polyunsaturates and transfats.
Saturated fat
Fats that contain no double bonds are referred to as saturated fats. Saturated fat may raise blood cholesterol levels which may cause heart disease. It is necessary for proper bone development and for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Saturated fats also support the immune system and help keep the human healthy.
Saturated fats are found in meat products such as pies and sausages, dairy produce and cakes and biscuits’ made from hydrogenated vegetable oil or butter.
Monounsaturates
Fats containing some double bonds are known as unsaturated fats – those with one double bond are mono-unsaturated. Monounsaturates are not associated with heart disease and are found in olive oil and rape seed oil.
Polyunsaturates
Fats with two or more double bonds are polyunsaturated. The more double-bonds in a fat, the more fluid it is, and it is this fluidity found in highly unsaturated fatty acids and that is so crucial in brain structure and function. Polyunsaturates lower blood cholesterol levels and are found in sunflower oil and soya oil.
Transfats
Transfats found in pastries, some margarine, fried foods and many snack and convenience foods.
What are the different types of fat in food?
